England should be considered among Euro 2016 favourites, says Charlie Nicholas
Wednesday 30 March 2016 00:12, UK
Soccer Saturday pundit Charlie Nicholas believes England should be considered among the favourites to win Euro 2016 following their impressive win in Germany.
Roy Hodgson's men battled back from 2-0 down to win 3-2 against the world champions thanks to second-half goals from Harry Kane, Jamie Vardy and Eric Dier in the penultimate round of friendlies before the summer showpiece.
The Netherlands are up next at Wembley with expectations heightened following Saturday's triumph, a win which prompted Sky Bet to cut their odds from 11/1 to 9/1 for a first major tournament triumph since 1966.
Nicholas believes that price change is more than warranted, going a step further in suggesting the Three Lions should be considered among the favourites to triumph in France.
He told Sky Sports: "For me England have to be considered genuine contenders for the Euros and I'd say 9/1 or even 8/1 are very long odds for a side which have just turned over the world champions.
"It may have only been a friendly but beating Germany in their own backyard is a huge step forward and it's a tremendously exciting time.
"There aren't many more exciting players in Europe than Dele Alli, Harry Kane and Ross Barkley and the debate as to whether Wayne Rooney deserves to start has been cranked up again.
"At Christmas I would have said England would be aiming at the quarter-finals and maybe the semi-finals at best, but it's looking wide open right now.
"Spain and Germany are both lacking that prolific No 9, a position where England have options, and while France are strong they've got their problems.
"Karim Benzema is a top striker but I wouldn't have him anywhere near the squad with what has gone on and we all know Olivier Giroud goes off the boil too easily."
